Custom electronics

CompuPhase develops electronic designs, printed circuit boards, prototypes of
custom apparatus and the embedded software that runs on the devices. Examples
of such apparatus are the various LED-panels that we set up in several exhibit
centres, under contract of Podium (Netherlands).
Look also at our list of recent projects.

To keep the development costs low, we attempt to design our electronics in a way
that ensures maximum flexibility and extensibility, in order to be able to re-use
the design for various exhibits. Our programmable
MP3 player is a good example of a finished product that is adapted and extended
with custom interfaces for every specific exhibit and task.

Speaking of "custom interfaces" for our products, as a service we publish a few
tiny circuits in our "articles" section, specifically under the topic
"applications notes". The
schematics and technical desciptions presented in these articles are often
related to our products. These circuits are not representative for the schematics
and boards that we design for our customers, by the way; rather, they are simple
circuits that we feel that hobbyists can build themselves.

Embedded systems

On occasion, our devices run self-contained, even if communication with an external
computer is an option. We are well informed about a series of microcontrollers that
are "typical" for embedded projects, real-time operating systems and communication
protocols. Small embedded projects often run directly on the hardware (i.e. without
operating system), to minimize costs. With "small" embedded projects, we are referring
to those projects that have only a few kilobytes of ROM and sometimes only a few
hundred bytes of RAM.

Peripherals

For simulations and special projects, we can link industrial joysticks, vandal resistant
palm and hand switches, and other peripherals to a standard Personal Computer. Output
to LEDs or actuators can also be driven, via an interface board, out of the computer
into a custom peripheral. We have extensive documentation and knowledge of the various
interface ports (parallel, serial, USB, keyboard, Ethernet, Internet Protocol Suite, ...)
at both high and low levels.

To control the external peripherals from an application that runs on a PC, the system
usually needs "drivers". CompuPhase writes drivers for Microsoft Windows (all versions)
and Linux, both for our self-designed circuits as for others. Next to the low level
drivers that the operating systems require (to recognize the peripheral at all), we
also build interface software which simulates keyboard and mouse input from the
joysticks, steering wheels, palm switches, etc. This allows for a very straightforward
coupling of our input devices to any application (even to existing applications).